Brooklyn Drive-By Shooting Claims Life of Seven-Month-Old Baby Girl
In a tragic incident that has shocked New York City, a seven-month-old baby girl was fatally shot in the head during a drive-by shooting in Brooklyn on Wednesday afternoon. Law enforcement sources indicate that the baby's father, Jamari Patterson, is believed to have been the intended target of the attack.
Family Stroll Turns to Tragedy
Kaori Patterson Moore was killed while her parents, Jamari Patterson, 22, and Lianna Moore, 20, along with her brother Kaizen, were walking through the Brooklyn neighbourhood. The family had been on their way to purchase baby supplies when the shooting occurred around 1:20 p.m.
Surveillance footage obtained by media outlets shows the family fleeing into a nearby bodega after initially mistaking the gunshots for fireworks. It was inside the store that Moore noticed her daughter's head was bleeding. In a desperate attempt to save her, Patterson carried Kaori seven blocks to Woodhall Hospital, "all while her blood ran on his hands," according to witness accounts.
Police Investigation Points to Gang Connections
Police sources have revealed to multiple news organisations that the stray bullet may have been intended for Kaori's father. Additional sources confirmed to The New York Daily News that authorities are investigating whether the shooting was gang-related, though this has been vehemently denied by Kaori's mother.
Patterson, an aspiring rapper, allegedly had complications with a crew from a rival housing project over social media, according to sources. Police believe the shooting was gang-related and are investigating whether the shooter was aiming for Patterson, who is allegedly linked to the Money Over Everything gang.
Moore has publicly denied that her fiancé has any gang connections, writing on social media: "The police say anything to put things together fast to piece something together." She described the accusations as "insensitive and disturbing" during her time of grief.
Alleged Shooter Identified and Hospitalized
Amuri Greene, 21, has been identified by police as the alleged shooter. He remains hospitalized after crashing the moped used in the shooting several blocks from the crime scene. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch has stated she expects Greene to be charged with murder. The driver of the moped remains at large.
Investigators note that Patterson lives at the Bushwick Houses public housing project while Greene is said to reside at Marcy Houses, another public housing unit with a long-running feud with Bushwick Houses.
Brother Also Injured in Shooting
While at the hospital, it was discovered that Kaori's brother, Kaizen, had also suffered injuries. The bullet had grazed his back after passing through his sister, leaving a lump that required medical attention.
"I want justice," Moore told reporters. "They deserve to stay in jail, and they don't deserve to come out after what they did to my baby, because I can't get her back."
Family's Heartbreaking Loss
The parents had gotten engaged just three weeks before Kaori's death. Baby Kaori had recently said "mama" for the first time and had taken her first steps, making the loss even more devastating for the young family.
Moore posted a heartbreaking video of herself holding newborn Kaori in the hospital, writing: "My sweet, sweet baby, I don't know what to do... I can't never get you back, I can't never bring you back. I can't hold you, you were my everything and more... I am broken."
A friend of Moore has started a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for the girl's funeral expenses. The fundraiser has garnered more than $23,000 of its $45,000 goal at the time of reporting.
Kaori's parents remember her as a happy, joyful, and innocent child. "She didn't deserve that," Moore told the Daily News through her tears, echoing the sentiment of a community left reeling from this senseless violence.
